GOP Sen. Shelby will not seek reelection
Republican Senator Richard Shelby on Monday said he would not seek reelection for a seventh term in 2022.
The 86-year-old congressman from Alabama joins a growing list of other Republican senators stepping down ahead of a likely spirited and expensive midterm campaign… including Rob Portman, Pat Toomey and Richard Burr.
Shelby, in a Monday statement, said (quote) “I am grateful to the people of Alabama who have put their trust in me for more than forty years. I have been fortunate to serve in the U.S. Senate longer than any other Alabamian.”
Shelby was first elected to the Senate in 1986 as a Democrat before switching parties.
He’s been a top member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and has played important roles on banking industry legislation.
Despite the popularity of former President Donald Trump in Alabama, Shelby opposed him at times… such as on his trade tariffs.
With the Senate now split 50-50 down party lines, the 2022 midterms will be high stakes as each party will look to seize decisive control.
And as far as the conservative state of Alabama goes - Republicans are viewed as likely to find a successful candidate to replace Shelby.
